Tschiedel E, et al. - Researchers investigated the applicability of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, (SeptiFast) SF assay, to the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of children with pulmonary infections. They also assessed the impact of using this multiplex PCR method on the frequency of pathogen detection. Using culture and multiplex PCR simultaneously, they analyzed 70 BAL samples of 70 children. Increased pathogen detection rates were documented in relation to the use of the SF assay on the BAL of children with pneumonia vs conventional culture. Only SF allowed the detection of the majority (38/44; 86%) of the Gram positive cocci. The use of the SF assay adds critical information to guide anti-infective treatment.